In a stunning upset that sent shockwaves through the tennis world, Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz suffered a humbling opening defeat at the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin. Norwegian star Casper Ruud, playing with confidence and precision, dismantled the world No. 3 in straight sets, 6-1, 7-5, in a match that lasted just 86 minutes.
Ruud, who reached the championship match in 2022, exploited a lackluster performance from the Spaniard, who appeared visibly affected by a cold. Alcaraz struggled to find his rhythm, making uncharacteristic errors throughout the match. “It’s only one match, but it’s one of the best wins of the season in terms of who I am playing and his ranking,” said Ruud after the match. “I feel really happy. I think we’ve seen Carlos play better tennis, but I took care of my chances.”
The first set was a complete rout, with Ruud breaking Alcaraz’s serve in the very first game and never looking back. Alcaraz, typically known for his powerful groundstrokes and aggressive play, appeared rattled and was unable to mount any serious resistance.
The second set offered some hope for Alcaraz as he raced out to a 5-2 lead, breaking Ruud’s serve with a deft volley. However, the momentum quickly shifted as Alcaraz lost his serve at 5-3 and ultimately crumbled under pressure. Ruud went on to win the final five games, showcasing his resilience and determination.
This unexpected loss casts doubt on Alcaraz’s chances of winning the prestigious year-ending title, something no Spaniard has accomplished since Alex Corretja in 1998. Meanwhile, Ruud, who had lost all four previous encounters against Alcaraz, now sits atop his group with a crucial victory under his belt.
“I play as an underdog,” Ruud said after the match. “In the past I’ve been able to do well here.” He will next face either Alexander Zverev or Andrey Rublev on Wednesday with a chance to further solidify his position in the tournament.
The defeat left many surprised, including former British No. 1 Laura Robson, who commented on Alcaraz’s struggles during the match. “We certainly do owe him an apology. I think I said Alcaraz in straight sets,” Robson said. “We weren’t expecting that at all. I was looking at the numbers after the match and he managed to win only 50% of his first serves.”
Tim Henman, former British No. 1 and Sky Sports commentator, echoed the sentiment, expressing disappointment with Alcaraz’s performance. “We have such high expectations from Alcaraz because we’ve seen him play such good tennis. The first match is never straightforward, so back to the drawing board for Alcaraz. Ruud will take so much confidence from beating him in straight sets and going top of the group.”
As the ATP Finals continue in Turin, Alcaraz will need to find his rhythm and recover from this unexpected setback if he hopes to make a run for the title. The pressure is now on the young Spaniard to bounce back and prove that this was just a blip in an otherwise impressive year.
